Nineteen-year-old Ricci Rivero got his wish on Monday evening as, he was finally cleared by the De La Salle University to join the 23 for 2023 cadets in practice. Though it took some time, he was relieved that he can now join his peers.
“Yung last na meeting po namin with yung managers, yun nga, nagpaalam kami and then sabi nila sige explore mo muna yung options. And nag-ask naman ako, sabihin nila if may lalaruan ako or training, sabihin ko muna sa kanila,” recalled Rivero. “So yun, inask ko yung Gilas nga if pwede na ko mag-training.
“Sabi nila, sige, puwede na muna, and then update na lang.”
However, the 6-foot-1 swingman is currently in the midst of a controversy. Last Friday, Tiebreaker Times broke that the UAAP Season 80 Most Improved Player was no longer part of the Green Archers. Later in the day, La Salle’s Office for Sports Development released a statement saying that he, together with brother Prince and teammate Brent Paraiso, had asked for a leave of absence from the team due to the team’s new policy regarding commercial endorsements.
Rivero admitted that he was surprised with the team’s ruling.
“Wala, sobrang na-surprise kami kasi ang inexpect namin, parang magsasabi sila ng ganun during the season sana na yun nga, para mas focused doon sa season and kasi bagong coach (Louie Gonzales) and all,” the incoming junior shared. “So siguro mas okay nga na magkakasama kami like, ongoing nga yung season tapos iba yung iniisip namin, ganun.
“Pero nagulat ako mismo nung kaka-start pa lang ng training namin tapos yun yung agad na sinabi.”
Rivero is currently endorsing Cherry Mobile, Titan, Aquafina, and Gatorade. According to him, Prince and Paraiso also have their own deals. So as not to hinder their added obligations, the trio asked for a leave from the team.
“Kasi doon sa new policy nga ng La Salle na bawal yung endorsements and all, eh even before that pa, I signed na yung mga contracts, so yung side ko siguro parang mahirap naman na nag-yes na ‘ko and all, tapos biglang ‘di ko na lang siya gagawin. Yung ganun,” the product of La Salle Green Hills pointed out.
“So I asked sila coach if pwede, sabi nila okay lang naman mag-leave na lang muna para matapos kasi nakakahiya rin doon sa ibang brands.”
As he is currently unable being able to train with the Green Archers, Rivero revealed that he is currently practicing with “other teams”.
“Wala pa, basta ito lang muna and then… siguro training muna ako sa ibang teams na pwede ako makatulong or may pwede akong laruan, ganun,” he bared.
“Like siguro yung mga normal na ibang malaruan lang and all, pero not necessarily try out for other teams.”
Still, Rivero assured that he is still studying at the De La Salle University.
“As of now yun talaga, I still attend classes everyday. And then nag-ask lang kami ng leave of absence first doon sa training and then yun, feel ko naman nasa La Salle pa rin naman ako.”
